Tag Archives: Week 5

Short and Sweet

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This week was one of the shortest due to another feriado (holiday). I had both Thursday and Friday off because of el dia del trabajador (international worker’s day). I have to admit it was nice getting to relax this week. However, I felt like I had no time to really enjoy my last days with my lovely co-workers since next week I will be moved to another floor dedicated to different work. I will definitely have to visit them they have been amazing. I have gotten the opportunity to really learn a lot from them. With everything that I have been able to learn I decided to construct a few tools that I cannot wait to demonstrate to them this upcoming week. Additionally, I will be able to present what I have been evaluating these past weeks. All I can hope for is that they all approve especially my site coordinator from el Sanatorio.

These are some pictures of some of the amazing lovely ladies I have had the opportunity to work with.

These are some pictures of some of the amazing lovely ladies I have had the opportunity to work with.

For my four-day weekend I did not really do too much exploring I mostly took advantage and really gave time for myself. I did however; get to join one of my supervisor’s family to Lujan, a small city part of Buenos Aires, Argentina to see the Virgin Lujan and her basilica (church). It was perfect; the city was so beautiful and very peaceful. I really enjoyed going with them it really gave me an insight on how families interact with one another in Argentina, I got to admit my time with them made me miss my family, but in a way I felt at home. Not only that, but I also got to be able to check off something from my bucket list, to learn a different dance in another country. Yes, that is right I got to join my coordinator from BAC to La Viruta, a tango class in Buenos Aires earlier today (Sunday). I cannot wait to show my new moves when I go home.

This is a picture of me outside la basilica (church) de Lujan.

This is a picture of me outside la basilica (church) de Lujan.

This is a picture of my supervisor's children, who were amazing to show me around la basilica.

This is a picture of my supervisor’s children, who were amazing to show me around la basilica.

A picture of my supervisor and I.

A picture of my supervisor and I.

In this picture we are standing in front of the original place where they say that Virgin Lujan stopped and stayed. This is why there are many people's names, candles, pictures, and more things that have been brought there to thank Virgin Lujan for all her miracles.

In this picture we are standing in front of the original place where they say that Virgin Lujan stopped and stayed. This is why there are many people’s names, candles, pictures, and more things that have been brought there to thank Virgin Lujan for all her miracles.

These are a few pictures of me learning some basic steps for tango.

These are a few pictures of me learning some basic steps for tango.

A few pictures from La Viruta with my coordinator from BAC.

A few pictures from La Viruta with my coordinator from BAC.

Week 5- Paris!

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Week 5 in Spain went well. I think I have fully adjusted to the culture and lifestyle here. Taking classes that are all in only Spanish is a really neat experience. I feel I am getting a lot out of this program. Now being here for over a month I have even begun to speak the Spanish spoken here, I’m catching on to the language.

This week a few of the girls from my program and I traveled to Paris for the weekend. Paris was amazing! We visited all the main big attractions so it was really fun. The Eiffel tower was breath taking. Going to the top of the Eiffel I’d have to say was the highlight of my trip.

The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower

The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower

WOU in Paris!

WOU in Paris!

I went to the Louvre as well and saw the Mona Lisa

I went to the Louvre as well and saw the Mona Lisa

Traveling to France and spending some time there I feel that Spanish people are so much nicer and welcoming. Although I didn’t know the language and didn’t understand anything I feel that Spanish people are a bit more approachable even for people that don’t know the language. I did get to meet one of my friends cousins who lives in Paris and him and his wife were really nice.

It’s been quiet an adventure traveling in Europe especially with public transportation being our only way of transportation. Coming from Oregon where I live out in the country where public transportation isn’t really available I feel coming here I’m really getting a full experience of living life without a car. It’s the norm around here for everyone to walk or take public transportation. Not a lot of people use their cars, it’s just so much easier to walk especially in Segovia. My host family has a car but they never really use it. I’ve only been in their car once and that was the day they picked me up from the bus station.

My host mom is the nicest person, she absolutely loves me and treats me like I’m her daughter. Her cooking although took me some time to get used to I now really enjoy it and I’ve gotten used to the food here. I feel that I’m even more open to trying new foods. To be honest some of the foods I eat here especially vegetables I would never eat back home or even try. Although my host mom is all about the healthy food and I have times where all I want is a Coca Cola or some candy or junk food I really appreciate her for not having that in this household because it keeps me from eating so much. But I do go out sometimes and indulge in some sweets, we all need sweets in life. Something I noticed about lunch here is that we always eat plate 1 and then plate 2 of food. Plate 1 is always like a vegetable or soup and plate 2 is always a meat or fish. For the final plate it is either fruit or desert and we always only drink water in our meal. Back home we always just have 1 plate with all the food so having 2 plates of food here is a bit much for me. For breakfast though, since my host mom is still sleeping when I get ready for school I serve myself breakfast, I’ll either have toast or cereal with a glass of orange juice and a yogurt. The table in the kitchen is always set up for me with a plate, utensils, napkin and anything I may eat in the morning. I’ve heard from other students their breakfast is always a grab and go kind of thing or they make themselves whatever they want in the morning but it is never set up. I’d say I have a pretty great host mom!

Week 6 is fast approaching and I have 2 excursions this week. One to “La Montana” and the other to Toledo.